Students Selected for All-USA Academic Team

Posted: Wednesday, August 10, 2011 at 2:45 PM

Article by: Joe Clark, clarkjx@pgcc.edu

LARGO, Md.—Honors Academy graduates Mark Inda and Mariya Tsyglakova have been named among the most academically advanced students in the state to represent Prince George’s Community College as members of the All-USA Community College Academic Team. Both students were nominated by the college to the Maryland All-State Community College Team.

“Mark possesses the unique combination of being an academically talented student who possesses humility and is well-liked and respected by students and faculty alike,” said Melinda Frederick, professor of political science and coordinator of the Honors Program at PGCC. “Mariya is a highly motivated, extraordinarily hardworking, conscientious young woman who demonstrates a strong commitment to help others,” she added.

Inda, 4.0 biology major, is attending the University of Maryland, College Park on a Transfer Academic Excellence Scholarship worth $8,655.00. He has been named to Who’s Who Among Students in American Junior Colleges, elected as president of the Tau Pi chapter of Phi Theta Kappa (PTK) and helped form the college’s Math Club with fellow honors program students. Inda also served as an officer in the Honors Society, member of the Enrollment Student Ambassadors Program, Diverse Student Male Academy and Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) Collegian Center.

Tsyglakova, who immigrated to the United States from Ukraine in 2007 in search of better educational and career opportunities, has received a $50,000 scholarship, per year for two years, to attend American University in Washington, DC. A 4.0 international business and finance major, Tsyglakova was treasurer of the Tau Pi chapter of PTK, part of Who’s Who Among Students in American Junior Colleges and a mentor for the International Education Center.

Organized by USA Today, the American Association of Community Colleges, Phi Theta Kappa and sponsored by Follett Higher Education Group, the program honors outstanding two-year college students.

Prince George’s Community College is a National Center of Academic Excellence in Information Assurance Two-year Education designated by the National Security Agency and the Department of Homeland Security (2010-2015). Established in 1958, Prince George’s Community College provides transfer and career programs that help students transfer to four-year colleges and universities and prepare them for the workforce. Each year, 40,000 students take part in more than 200 academic programs and workforce development and continuing education courses. Located in Largo, Maryland, Prince George’s Community College has additional sites at Joint Base Andrews, University Town Center in Hyattsville, Laurel College Center, Westphalia Training Center in Upper Marlboro and the Skilled Trades Center in Camp Springs. For more information, visit the college website at www.pgcc.edu.